United hit back in continuing saga of takeover rumours

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MANCHESTER UNITED officials last night broke their silence on the possibility of a takeover, urging supporters not to put their faith in “two Irish racehorse owners who know absolutely nothing about running a football business”.

The robust comments of Paddy Harverson, the club’s director of communications, left little doubt about the United plc board’s hostility towards the so-called “Coolmore Mafia”, two friends of Sir Alex Ferguson who are now the biggest shareholders in the company.

United have sought assurances in recent weeks from J. P. McManus and John Magnier, whose Cubic Expression Company became the largest shareholder two weeks ago